Alex Pereira is an MMA fighter who’s destroyed many in his division. However, does everyone know about the man behind this highly skilled champion? Plinio Cruz, Pereira’s coach is as brilliant as they come. Not everyone can be ‘Poatan’ and to know how he does what he does, it’s crucial to find out where the fighter trains.

So we’ll discuss everything about his coaches Cruz and Glover Teixeira and even the place Pereira trains. Israel Adesanya’s nemesis has done well chasing him from kickboxing to the UFC. However, have things seemed to have changed for Pereira over the years? Here’s everything you need to know.

Coaches who make and break Alex Pereira- Plinio Cruz and Glover Teixeira

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master who’s also a specialist in Muay Thai, Plinio Cruz has trained Alex Pereira over the years. The brilliant martial artist has a black belt in Judo as well as Jiu-Jitsu. He’s previously fought for promotions like Bellator and M-1.

Pereira received his Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from Cruz right after he beat his nemesis, Israel Adesanya. If Adesanya is Superman, Alex Pereira is Lex Luthor. He’s managed to take down ‘Izzy’ in kickboxing and then snatched his title away from him in the UFC as well.

All this while Cruz sat in his corner cheering and guiding him! However, Cruz himself hasn’t fought in the cage since 2019. Back then he faced Douglas Humberto Queiroz Silva as his opponent and yielded. Since then, he has made no other commitments than coaching.

Cruz’s MMA record stands at an interesting 8-9. Apart from Cruz, ‘Poatan’ is also coached by the former UFC light-heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira. Teixeira and Pereira share a very close bond which is often reflected in pranks and interesting conversations on his social media. In terms of his professional career, Teixeira last fought in January 2023 and lost to Jamahal Hill and right after the fight, he announced his retirement.

Now the other question as to..

Where do Pereira and Teixeira train?

Pereira and Teixeira train together at the latter’s gym in Connecticut. The coach has been around for Pereira for his matches just like Cruz cornering him from outside the cage. Perhaps it’s no wonder that both the fighters have struck gold with the UFC.

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However, both of them eventually lost their titles down the line. That doesn’t mean it won’t come back for Pereira. While Teixeira has retired, he still relentlessly coaches the Brazilian along with Cruz. Now, ‘Poatan’ is all set to take on Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. Prochazka has previously defeated Teixeira so will this be an act of payback by Pereira? Only one way to find out.

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